NPN residents planning groups are independent, voluntary organisations. The groups cover areas defined by themselves, which are usually not political ward boundaries.

NPN groups are identified in the Bristol City Council Statement of Community Involvement as the community groups that will be notified of pre application approaches.

NPN planning groups should be contacted by developers who are planning major developments in their area.

The NPN network administrators can help the developer and the planning officers identify which residents’ planning groups should be invited to engage in pre application community involvement discussions and meetings.

Developers who contact other organisations such as Neighbourhood Partnerships will be directed to the relevant NPN planning group for the area.

NPN planning groups are expected to have ensured that representatives from the group have attended NPN meetings or training sessions about pre application community involvement in order that they are conversant with the processes.